The Intercity Show And Sale was held August 11-12 at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Five local cactus & succulent clubs participate. Here are some of the plants from the Trophy table, judged the best of the show. I didn't get all the names and all the categories. I didn't get photos of every plant, either. It's sometimes hard to see the labels, it's a distracting environment, and it got crowded quickly.
Some of the photos were taken by Beloved while the blogger was (surprise!) plant shopping.
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| Haageocereus acranthus |
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| Astrophytum myriostigma 'Onzuka' Crest |
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| Euphorbia Obesa |
Best Echinocereus, E. barthelowanus. Perfect container.
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| Rebutia helosa |
Caution, garden blogger at work
I'm not sure I would make a good show judge - some of these look great, others, like that Haageocereus, look... well, um, different? Congrats to all the winners, and thanks to you for sharing pictures!
ReplyDeleteSome of the criteria has nothing to do with looks. Some of the plants are incredibly rare, may be a critically endangered species, very slow growing, very difficult to grow, very difficult to grow for a long period of time. The skill of the grower is a big part of who wins.
DeleteThose are amazing plants, many I’ve never heard of. The photos are great and very educational for me. They open up a new world of cacti and succulents. janesmudgeegarden.com
ReplyDeleteI've been going to this show for several years and there are always plants I've never seen before or heard of. If you internet-search some of them they are so rare there's almost no information on them.
DeleteA succulent seminar I attended had a speaker who discussed Australian succulent rarities--tiny plants that grow on the sides of highways--they find that environment quite good because if it happens to rain, water drains off the road itself, and they get a good drink that way.
We see kangaroos on the side of the road too, for the same reason. There’s often a little green grass growing because of runoff.
DeleteThanks for showing us such lovely specimens...just love the Bursera microphylla. There are many that I would love to have if I had room...except the spiny ones, best left for others!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that Bursera great? Just a very different look to it, and not unnatural as you can see them in nature flattened out like that because the vertical part died or was nibbled or broken off.
DeleteAgree with you on the spiny-er ones--not a huge enthusiast for them myself!
How wonderfully bizarre some of these plants appear. I have never seen many of them. WOW. How could you resist purchasing one of each. Do tell what inspired you.
ReplyDeleteMany of them require much more growing skill than I have! Also many are very rare and therefore expensive or difficult to find--or both. Another post on my favorites from the show to come.
DeleteThere are some lovely "bests" in there. However I can't imagine becoming that specialized.
ReplyDeleteNot even in Agaves? :)
DeleteIt is sometimes a way of saving endangered species--some wiped out in the wild have survived in collections of the devoted.
The show had as many awards as the Oscars it seems! I'm always impressed by the appearance of show plants. I don't think I have any succulents that look that pristine. That Echeveria cante! I recently cut the head off mine and replanted it, placing its pot in a more hospitable spot - dare I hope that it could bloom like the show plant one day? So many of these plants are new to me. I'm intrigued by the shallow-rooted Crassula. I expect you came home with plants - pictures please.
ReplyDeleteAgave parryi truncata always looks pristine. Mine are covered with dust because it hasn't rained since forever and they still look pristine.
DeleteThat E. cante was enormous, too. You can't tell by the photo. I suspect they give it a hit of fertilizer now and then. The Crassula is not uncommon and often grown as bonsai.
Come home with plants?!? Me? Another post or two in the works.
Oh my that Haworthia truncata certainly makes mine look pathetic ! I can appreciate the diligence it takes to keep these in such pristeen condition. Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteIt was big--don't remember ever seeing one quite so large. And looking fabulously healthy, too.
DeleteHappy you liked the post, thanks!
I've never been to a succulent show. It looks so fun! I wonder if the succulent society here hosts one.
ReplyDeleteWorth finding out, they are yes very fun events, and a great way to meet fellow plant lovers.
DeleteThe Stenocereus that won 'best staged' last year is hilarious. The resemblance to a 1930s movie star languidly stretched out on a chaise longue is heightened by the nearby Pachypodium brevicaulis, playing the role of a giant flower arrangement. Nice piece of staging by the judges!
ReplyDeleteThe 'best variegated' cactus is a riveting image; something mesmerizing about the unpredictable appearance of the variation against the mathematical precision of the spiny tufts, and the color contrasts...
Winner of the 'would most want to be offered as a gift': that cool Rhipsalis salicornioides. Even though it might call for surroundings a little more modernist than what's on offer here; for my fantasy Zen cottage.
Great spread! Look forward to more.
Your comment is better than my blog post!
DeleteLOL! Thanks, but untrue on its face: no photos...
DeleteYour coverage of this show always sends me searching the interwebs to learn about cool new plants!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many out there. A plant show is a great way to see new ones.
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